tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5495065931245897039.post4412383328111627249..comments2024-02-27T15:47:47.923-05:00Comments on Principled Perspectives: Gay Marriage Contraversy Highlights Need for Separation of Church and Stateprincipled perspectiveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06502754865268315342noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5495065931245897039.post-66112267075760620032012-06-06T09:08:33.496-04:002012-06-06T09:08:33.496-04:00Mike: If I understand you correctly, you seem to b...Mike: If I understand you correctly, you seem to be saying that contract law should not be based upon the meaning of words. <br /><br />The definition of words and the role of government in contracts are two different things, but the second must still be based upon the first.<br /><br />Definitions are objective; i.e., based upon the observable facts of reality that underpin the concepts that words symbolize. Proper definitions are not and should not be arbitrary government constructs.<br /><br />Since the government's role is to protect contractual freedom, this necessarily includes legally recognizing and enforcing contracts that conform to the objective definition of the concept "marriage." This is not government "giving special status," but recognition of a legitimate contract based upon a legitimate concept. Therefor, the concept marriage must be properly defined before we can begin discussing contract law as it relates to marriage.<br /><br />Contract law, just like definitions, needs to be objective. Put another way, we need the "floodgates" of objectivity.principled perspectiveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06502754865268315342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5495065931245897039.post-80078227126357833312012-06-02T03:14:59.584-04:002012-06-02T03:14:59.584-04:00There's a specifically defined and described r...There's a specifically defined and described relationship called marriage, upon which government gives status, beyond other relationships. This does constitute force or fraud. To widen the defifition or meaning would be to widen the force or fraud. I say, eliminate the special status, make sure that contract law is up to par, then open the floodgates.Mike Kevittnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5495065931245897039.post-75649908249391224602012-05-31T21:59:43.176-04:002012-05-31T21:59:43.176-04:00We have a good template to work from, though--the ...We have a good template to work from, though--the greatest "social experiment" in world history--The Declaration of Independence, which institutionalized inalienable individual rights as the foundation of society.principled perspectiveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06502754865268315342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5495065931245897039.post-56930695636360259332012-05-31T16:31:16.459-04:002012-05-31T16:31:16.459-04:00The argument goes that all down through history; n...The argument goes that all down through history; no society has ever institutionalized gay marriage. I would agree that legalizing it is an enormous social experiment. <br /><br />I would also agree that outlawing slavery was another enormous social experiment; one I am glad we made. <br /><br />I hope someday we outlaw tyranny as well, and religious prosecution, and eliminate polio. So many good experiments to try – so little time.Steve Dnoreply@blogger.com